Reviews: Pratia Tank, Climbing Cowlneck, Bayeux Top, Hourglass Surplice


The bubble hems, they are back! I pretended not to notice it and instead focused on the pretty petals of C. Keer’s Pratia Tank ($68). It comes in grey as you see above or white. I grabbed the white version to try on.


It’s double-layered which is great because it’s not sheer! I tried on a medium and found this top true to size. The outer layer of the shirt is cotton with a raw edge neckline. The flowers were standing up straight more than the product shot shows. I found this really weird, aren’t droopy flowers normally the issue? I’d probably want to press these down to smooth the bulkiness. There’s good coverage in the front and the back and the bubble hem is pretty loose.

Bubble hems aren’t a great shape on me so I’m not in love with this top…for myself. In general I think it’s well-done and ready for spring. Pass for me but hoping it works for you.


I’m really glad I had a chance to try on C. Keer’s Climbing Cowlneck ($48). I had no idea it was selling so fast until Lola mentioned it in the weekend community post. At Anthro $48 is almost a steal so I can see why. The positive reviews are helping. In-store this shirt comes in dark grey (reads blue to me) and plum. Plum is not available online at the moment.

So here’s the strange thing. I grabbed a medium and a large to try on. But the large fit tighter than the medium. I thought for sure I had mixed up mentally but after checking the tags I saw that in fact the large was way tighter across my tummy than the medium. The store was already running low on this top so I asked the fitting room attendant for her opinion. I didn’t tell her which size was which. She picked the medium so that’s the one you see in the photos above. I will most likely seek out another large this weekend for comparison. What I’m trying to say is — beware size inconsistencies.

The shirt is pima cotton (so soft!) and not sheer. It fits close to the body and the shirred pleats make a cool pattern across your body. I don’t think this top photographed very well. In real life I was very happy with it.


RicRac’s Bayeux Top ($68) is wonderful but short. The craftsmanship on the top is great and the lace is an exquisite delicate touch. Love the bottom tiered peplum of lace. The buttons on the front and back are just for show — I put this on pullover style. With a high-waisted skirt I could wear this alone but with anything else I’ll need to layer a cami underneath. Usually I’m a small in RicRac but I sized up to a medium in this one for a better fit.

The shirt is based on soft and slightly stretchy cotton. My concern is that it will shrink even shorter after a wash rendering it unwearable. I’ve wishlisted this one for now while I consider it.


Deletta has put smocking all over the place in the last couple of seasons. Their latest offering is the Hourglass Surplice ($48). All of these Anthro tops under $50 are making me smile! Though I usually wear smalls in Deletta I sized up to a medium in this one. I didn’t fidget too much with the v-neck but it was naturally sitting higher than I’d like.

The smocked cap shoulders are not especially flattering against a larger bust. Otherwise I liked this shirt quite a bit. It’s a little bit slimming and a nice midway point between casual and dressed up. Worth considering on sale but back to the rack for now.

23 Comments

  1. Kim G
    January 16, 2010 / 2:45 pm

    The climbing cowlneck looks great on you.I will definitely check it out on my next visit. Also – thanks for your blog, I have a long torso too so reading your posts helps me know which tops will work for me.

  2. January 16, 2010 / 3:02 pm

    Thanks for your reviews on the Climbing Cowlneck and Bayeux tops – I've been eyeballing them myself and now I know I need to find another excuse to get to the mall stat! Both tops look great on you – your waist is tiny!

  3. January 16, 2010 / 3:28 pm

    Love the Climbing Cowlneck on you, Roxy. The draping on it is very flattering. Can you describe the purple color that it also comes in?Also really like the Bayeux top, but it could be a bit longer. However, I think it'll look great with a pencil skirt.Thanks for the reviews, Roxy! It helps a lot.

  4. Anna
    January 16, 2010 / 3:28 pm

    Wow. The climbing cowlneck looks awesome on you. I am really glad I ordered it now. At least I hope that`s what I ordered. They could not get the picture online either 🙂

  5. January 16, 2010 / 3:31 pm

    Oh dear. Its a real problem for me to visit this blog because I see things I decide I need! Its so great for you to model them, I love seeing things in real life and not just a catalogue picture. Thanks!

  6. January 16, 2010 / 4:03 pm

    Looove the Climbing Cowlneck. I'll be near a store on Monday, so I'll have to check it out.I gave into my lack of impulse control and pulled the trigger on the Free Flow Tank last night. I ended up ordering it, for fear of not being able to find it in my size and it running out- have you seen it in person, Roxy? I haven't seen any "real life" reviews of it on bloggyland yet, so I'm nervous! I got it in the beige- to pair with white lacey skirts this spring. *wiggles*

  7. Anonymous
    January 16, 2010 / 4:22 pm

    The Climbing Cowlneck looks perfect on you!

  8. January 16, 2010 / 4:27 pm

    Morning ladies! And thanks for the positive feedback on the Climbing Cowlneck. :)Chloe, I have seen it and I tried it on. I've noticed Google has sucked lately at indexing my posts when I don't have the product name in the post title. Lame. Anyway, the review is here.

  9. January 16, 2010 / 4:43 pm

    Archana – the plum color is like a warm wine, similar to the Glinting Hollyhock Tee as modeled by the awesome Betsy in her guest reviews post earlier this week. I'm looking on Anthro's site now to see if I can find anything else similar.

  10. January 16, 2010 / 4:55 pm

    Oh wow I might just have to find the purple climbing cowlneck! Thanks!

  11. January 16, 2010 / 4:58 pm

    I was wondering how the hourglass surplice would look on – so, thank you! I really like it 🙂

  12. Anonymous
    January 16, 2010 / 5:34 pm

    wondering if you have reviewed the Cloud Cover cardigan — looks so pretty on the Anthro site but part of me wonders if it will suit someone buxom…

  13. meisha
    January 16, 2010 / 5:47 pm

    Martha Stewart Crafts poufy tissue paper hanging flowers!! I am obsessed with those…..

  14. January 16, 2010 / 6:09 pm

    I love the reviews! Thanks for sharing all the details 🙂

  15. January 16, 2010 / 6:30 pm

    i love the climbing cowlneck! looks like a great topI will have to look for it in store thanks for the great reviews! I dont know how you do it;)

  16. January 16, 2010 / 6:45 pm

    Thanks for these reviews! I am thinking I want to snag the Bayeux top. I had liked the Pratia Tank but the bubble hem is such a turn off and your review is not changing my mind.

  17. January 16, 2010 / 6:54 pm

    Anon @ 12:36, I have not tried on the Cloud Cover Cardigan yet. I will look for it next time I'm in-store (which coincidentally will be later today). :)meisha LOL! Martha Stewart would approve of the shirt I think.Maria I think the Bayeux Top is right up your alley. You'll love it.

  18. Anonymous
    January 17, 2010 / 1:08 am

    Wow, climbing cowlneck freaking rocks on you. I hope they have the plum in stock when I stop in the soho shop next week!

  19. Anonymous
    January 17, 2010 / 1:57 am

    How tall are you that the Bayeux Top was too short? Thanks.

  20. January 17, 2010 / 1:58 am

    Anon, I'm 5'8".

  21. January 17, 2010 / 11:51 pm

    Thanks for reviewing the Climbing Cowlneck! I really hope that it shows up online again (unfortunately, there weren't any at the Boyleston Street store in Boston when I went yesterday, but I did manage to spend my last holiday gift card on a Lime Juice Dress!).


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